SUNDAY’S WEATHER-TRAFFIC: Rain should take a holiday for Christmas

ATLANTA FORECAST

Sunday: High: 56

Sunday night: Low: 36

Monday: High: 52

» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.

After a dry Saturday on the first full day of winter, milder air and spot showers arrived Sunday.

Metro Atlanta saw some showers Sunday, but the next best chance for widespread rain will be later this week with several inches possible, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Eboni Deon said.

However, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are forecast to be dry and calm, Deon said. Each day should be sunny with highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s.

Rain, heavy at times, is expected to return Thursday and Friday, Channel 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan said.

The Georgia Department of Transportation is suspending construction-related lane closures on interstate highways, heavily traveled state routes and roadways near major shopping centers, malls, shopping districts and tourist locations, according to an announcement.

The schedule is:

For Christmas: No lane closures from 6 a.m. Saturday to 10 p.m. Wednesday.
For New Year's: No lane closures from 6 a.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Wednesday.

“If you plan to travel during the holidays, I urge you to drive defensively, be extra cautious and alert, and make sure to put the phone down,” said John Hancock, the DOT’s state construction engineer.